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Soil temperatures across Illinois are rising

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill., 5/18/2018: Soil temperatures rose during the first half of May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

The warmer weather experienced throughout the state in May has led to higher than normal soil temperatures. At depths of 4 inches under bare soil, temperatures averaged 71 degrees on May 15, 6 degrees above the long-term average. Daily highs have risen to the high 80s and low 90s.

Soil temperatures have risen an average of 9 degrees since the beginning of May. Northern Illinois did see lower temperatures the second week of the month as cooler weather moved into the area. However, temperatures have been rising in the region with an average of 67 degrees on May 15.

Soil moisture levels at 2 inches increased an average of 6 percent between May 1 and May 15. Levels dropped 22 percent during this period in southern Illinois as the area experienced warmer, drier weather. In the north, however, moisture levels increased 76 percent due to the cooler, wetter conditions occurring the second week of the month.